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Monday, 6 August 2012

After hearing several complaints from its students, Negros Oriental State University–College of Maritime Education (NORSU–CME) Assistant Dean Edgardo Santillana shed light on the issue regarding the university’s consortium with the Jose Rizal Memorial State University (JRMSU) in Dapitan City.

The issue brought confusion to CME students after knowing that some of their subjects will beoffered in JRMSU. Santillana said that the issue is not true.

He added that the CME students will not be going to JRMSU to take their subjects. Instead, the instructors from the said university are the ones to come to NORSU.

Since JRMSU is in consortium with NORSU, they will be opening subjects that would compensate the 24-unit deficiency of NORSU–CME as required by the Commission on Higher Education.

The subjects to be offered are Spanish Language, English Proficiency Enhancement, Accelerated English Proficiency, Ship Construction and Stability and Safety II (Safety Procedure).

Junior Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) student Christian Kate C. Mandal said, “It is very okay that they will send professors here but it is still a hassle because instead of only three years, we have to take another semester for the additional 24-unit requirement.”

To help determine the number of students who avail of the services of the Negros Oriental State University–Main Campus I (NORSU–MC I) library, a ‘log-in’ system was implemented last June 4.

The new system was mandated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) in order to have documentary records on the number of students who use the library every day as well as assess and evaluate the performance of every library personnel.

Library attendant Zaldy Elmido said that a total of seven regular staff members are assigned to do the ‘log-in’ system—to record and tabulate the names and number of students entering the library.

Elmido explained that each staff member is given a quota of approximately 1,000 names of students per semester as required by the CSC. The number of students each library personnel can record will determine how well they have performed their job.

Moreover, he said that the new system would require each student to write his/her name, course, year level and his/her purpose in going inside the library. With this, library personnel would easily determine students who borrowed books, magazines, newspapers and other reading materials. More so, it would help them impose fines on students who fail to return the materials they have borrowed.

“This might be a hassle for them but they will surely get used to it soon,” Elmido said.

Library student assistant Dayanara Villalon shared that she has prepared on how to do the ‘log-in’ system which will surely help her facilitate the students in using the process.

“It [log-in] looks formal to have that in the library,” first year Bachelor of Science in Tourism student Cookie Mae Pialago said.

Merry Queen Legaspi, a junior Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering student shared that she was glad that NORSU has employed a new system this semester. “Ok ra siya kay it’s for the library’s benefit man pud—to have a record of students nga musulod sa library,” she said. On the other hand, sophomore Bachelor of Science in Information Technology student Gemmarie Tindoc said, “Useless ra siya kay dili man pud mu-fill-up ang ubang students.”

The Europe Assembly Nomination (EBA) committee based in Oxford, United Kingdom nominated Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) President Henry A. Sojor to the International Socrates Prize in the Science Sphere (ISPSS).

According to EBA Director John W.A. Netting in an e-mail, Sojor has been nominated in the ISPSS because he qualified the requirements for international ‘contemporary’ leadership.

“We are happy to inform that your high authority and immaculate reputation, active civic position and fruitful professional activities, personal contribution to the national science and integration processes got high recognition of the international community,” Netting stated.

The director continued, “Your establishment [NORSU] was chosen as one of the best representatives of national education. The best graduates of your university are well known for their high level of knowledge and professional skills both in your country and abroad.”

Dr. Henry A. Sojor supposed that he is nominated because he has been invited into international fora and symposia as key speaker and research person. “In my own point of view, I am nominated because I am responsible in making this [NORSU] into a state university, giving quality education for poor but deserving students, and besides, their [EBA] research institutions are the ones responsible in investigating public opinions to discover leaders,”he said.

In addition, the president said that he will not attend the awarding ceremony because he cannot afford to be there.

The distinction is designed to honor the best personalities in the field of higher and secondary education, fundamental and applied researches, science and culture. It also symbolizes the highest degree of professional achievements, recognitions and services for common values enriching. The awarding ceremony and euro science open forum will be in Dublin, Ireland on July 1-15.

Meanwhile, EBA research teams are the ones responsible in examining likely individuals prospected to be leaders. Those who have excelled and have prolifically made contributions to the national science and positive social processes are the ones chosen and nominated.

Negros Oriental State University–League of Student Organization (NORSU–LSO) Adviser Giovanni Macahig challenges newly-elected LSO President Xyza Mae Callao to help all student organizations to be actively involved in civic and community activities this school year.

Macahig said that the LSO must participate in tree planting, clean-up drives, and blood donation activities, among others. With these, Macahig added that the organization’s involvement will be its way to get registered easily in the LSO.

“We will be planning to clean and plant trees at the banks of Banica River and in Brgys. Balugo and Candau-ay because these places need it most,” Macahig said.

The LSO adviser is also asking Callao to arrange an “organization day” wherein each student group will be allowed to advertise their own organization and recruit new members. According to him, this plan would sustain the number of registered student organizations and would help them prepare for NORSU’s 85th founding anniversary.

Asked about her opinion on the LSO adviser’s challenge, Callao, a graduating Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences student, said that Macahig’s plans are ‘okay’ for her and that she is willing to help the LSO achieve its purposes. More so, she said that there must be a collaboration between the LSO and the student body in order for them to attain the goals and plans they want.

Meanwhile, Callao added that she is open to any suggestions from the studentry since this would help them identify the areas that need improvement. She added that the LSO office will be open to cater the needs and suggestions of the students and that an LSO officer will be readily available to aid them.

“I cannot work alone because I also need the cooperation of my members to answer students’ questions,” Callao disclosed.

In order to maximize space and be energy efficient, the Negros Oriental State University–College of Industrial Technology (NORSU–CIT) currently adopts the ‘green architecture’ design for its second floor extension to the tune of P28 million. The project includes the renovation of the ground floor.

The ‘green architecture’ design was initiated by Assistant University Engineer for Architecture and Civil Works Architect Roy Solis. The new second floor has 12 classrooms, two storage rooms and comfort rooms located on its south and north wings.

“We only have 12 rooms because we cannot expand the dimension…we have limited space,” Solis said.

Solis added that with the ‘green architecture’ design, electric fans and fluorescent lights will be less needed because there is sufficient ventilation and light that can freely enter into each room. “In that way, we consume less electricity,” he noted.

CIT Dean Glicerio Duran, Jr. said that the design made their college beautiful and conducive for learning. More so, Duran is hoping that the new building will “inspire students to learn.”

“It will be easy for us now to organize our major classes,” said Rudilito Cabajon, CIT Drawing Department instructor.

Moreover, Assistant Professor II Lorenzo Sugod said, “The building is properly designed. We can now establish a good teaching-learning process since we already have new rooms.” Sugod also suggested that every technology room the college has, must also be provided with tool and file cabinets for safekeeping of documents, as well as new white boards.

“New look, new building, new people, new instructors,” said Aida Francisco, a sophomore Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology student.

Meanwhile, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) students Jed Ryan Alabastro and Reynaldo Katada Jr. praised the placing of benches along the waiting area of the second floor so that the students will not be bored while waiting for their next classes.